Diagnosis to now

Thursday, May 5, 2016

There is no safe asbestos! ALL ASBESTOS KILLS!

I am constantly amazed to read/hear various reports around the world that continue to pop up saying that not all forms of asbestos are dangerous/deadly! Some for their own reasons choose to believe that chrysotile (white asbestos) is not harmful to humans! I have peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma (asbestos cancer). It is a deadly aggressive brutal painful cancer. Having seen many many beautiful people die of this awful cancer including my darling dad - all asbestos kills - NO DEBATE - END OF STORY!

Below are postings that may help to alleviate this debate and give some thought to this absurd questioning as to whether chrysotile is not harmful as a carcogenic causing deadly asbestos cancer (Mesothelioma).

Linda Reinstein shared her post. 3 May at 17:18There is no debate or discussion for ADAO. As the World Health Organization (WHO) states, "exposure to asbestos, including chrysotile, causes cancer of the lung, larynx and ovary, mesothelioma (a cancer of the pleural and peritoneal linings) and asbestosis (fibrosis of the lungs).” I strongly RECOMMEND the WHO "Chrysotile Asbestos Report" http://bit.ly/1dSZW0i

Key facts

About 125 million people in the world are exposed to asbestos at the workplace.

According to WHO estimates, more than 107 000 deaths each year are attributable to occupational exposure to asbestos.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals with current or historical commercial usefulness due to their extraordinary tensile strength, poor heat conduction, and relative resistance to chemical attack. For these reasons, asbestos is used for insulation in buildings and as an ingredient in a number of products, such as roofing shingles, water supply lines and fire blankets, as well as clutches and brake linings, gaskets and pads for automobiles. The main forms of asbestos are chrysotile (white asbestos) and crocidolite (blue asbestos). Other forms are amosite, anthophylite, tremolite and actinolite.

Why is asbestos a problem?

All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic to humans. Exposure to asbestos, including chrysotile, causes cancer of the lung, larynx and ovaries, and also mesothelioma (a cancer of the pleural and peritoneal linings). Asbestos exposure is also responsible for other diseases such as asbestosis (fibrosis of the lungs), and plaques, thickening and effusion in the pleura.Currently, about 125 million people in the world are exposed to asbestos at the workplace. According to the most recent WHO estimates, more than 107 000 people die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis resulting from exposure at work. Approximately half of the deaths from occupational cancer are estimated to be caused by asbestos. In addition, it is estimated that several thousand deaths annually can be attributed to exposure to asbestos in the home. It has also been shown that co-exposure to tobacco smoke and asbestos fibres substantially increases the risk for lung cancer – and the heavier the smoking the greater the risk.

WHO response

The World Health Assembly Resolution 58.22 on cancer prevention urges Member States to pay special attention to cancers for which avoidable exposure is a factor, including exposure to chemicals at the workplace and in the environment. With Resolution 60.26, the World Health Assembly requested WHO to carry out a global campaign for the elimination of asbestos-related diseases "…bearing in mind a differentiated approach to regulating its various forms - in line with the relevant international legal instruments and the latest evidence for effective interventions…". …". Cost-effective interventions for prevention of occupational lung diseases from exposure to asbestos are among the policy options for implementing the global action plan for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (2013-2020), as endorsed by the Sixty-sixth World Health Assembly in resolution WHA66.10 in 2013.Eliminating asbestos-related diseases is particularly targeted at countries still using chrysotile asbestos, in addition to assistance in relation to exposures arising from historical use of all forms of asbestos. WHO, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization and other intergovernmental organizations and civil society, works with countries towards elimination of asbestos-related diseases in the following ways:

by recognizing that the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related diseases is to stop the use of all types of asbestos;

by providing information about solutions for replacing asbestos with safer substitutes and developing economic and technological mechanisms to stimulate its replacement;

by taking measures to prevent exposure to asbestos in place and during asbestos removal (abatement);

by improving early diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation services for asbestos-related diseases;

by establishing registries of people with past and/or current exposures to asbestos and organizing medical surveillance of exposed workers;

by providing information on the hazards associated with asbestos-containing materials and products, and by raising awareness that waste containing asbestos should be treated as hazardous waste.

Dr. Richard Lemen: “All Forms of Asbestos Cause Cancer”

I would like to urge the IMig 2016 Conference, of which you are Co-Chairpersons, to adopt a resolution condemning the continued use of all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile. Yesterday you held a discussion chaired by Dr. Jim teWaterNaude, South Africa and Ms. Laurie Kazan-Allen, United Kingdom, concerning chrysotile asbestos, a substance that has been extensively studied and proven to cause asbestos-induced cancers, including mesothelioma. Now that this discussion is over and both speakers, Dr. David Egilman and Dr. Julian Peto have reiterated that chrysotile asbestos causes asbestos-induced cancers, including mesothelioma, I ask that you and the leadership of IMig 2016 join the World Scientific Community in condemning further use of all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile.

Recently, I and other scientists have put together a Chrysotile Fact Sheetsummarizing the scientific consensus of its dangers. I am attaching this Fact Sheet and I hope you will make it available to your entire attendance. In it you will see clear consensus that chrysotile asbestos can not be used safely nor is it a safe form of asbestos.

I hope that during IMig 2016 your organization will now join the clarion call for a Worldwide ban on the use of all forms of asbestos including chrysotile. As I understand IMig is “an independent international group of scientists and clinicians working to understand, cure and prevent mesothelioma.” Thus, what better time to fulfill this mission and provide leadership through passing a resolution condemning the further use of asbestos worldwide and stopping the mushrooming epidemic of asbestos-related diseases.

I wish IMig continued success.

Sincerely,
Richard A. Lemen, Ph.D., MSPH Assistant United States Surgeon General, United States Public Health Service (retired)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------CHRYSOTILE ASBESTOS FACTSThe following facts represent knowledge concerning chrysotile asbestos, the only form of asbestos currently marketed.

Fact 1 For the past two decades, chrysotile has been the only commercially mined form of asbestos being mass marketed. It has constituted over 95% of all asbestos marketed over the past century. The latest data show global use of chrysotile is around 2 million metric tons per year (USGS, 2013).

Fact 2 Chrysotile is frequently found contaminated with amphibole forms of asbestos, most commonly tremolite (IARC, 2012). However, the UICC Canadian chrysotile, which has been shown capable of causing disease, has not been found to contain tremolite (Frank et al., 1998).

Fact 4 Latest data show the global burden of asbestos-related cancers estimated to be 194,000 deaths per year in 2013, up from 94,000 in 1990 (an increase of over 100%) with a disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) burden of 3,402,000 – up 94% from 1990 and accounting for nearly two-thirds of the burden from all occupational carcinogens (GBD, 2015).

Fact 5 Currently, at least 55 countries have banned the use of all forms of asbestos (IBAS, 2015).

Fact 6 No threshold level of asbestos exposure has been established below which all individuals would be risk free of contracting asbestos-related diseases – 2 including those exposed to chrysotile (Royal Commission, 1984; IARC, 1977, 2012; IPCS, 1998; IPCS 2004-2012; Collegium Ramazzini, 2015).

Fact 7 In 2001 the World Trade Organization reported: “The Panel found too that the efficacy of “controlled use” is particularly doubtful for the building industry and for DIY [do-it-yourself] enthusiasts, which are the most important users of cement-based products containing chrysotile asbestos.” The WTO stated “… we note that the carcinogenicity of chrysotile fibres has been acknowledged for some time by international bodies. This carcinogenicity was confirmed by the experts consulted by the Panel, with respect to both lung cancers and mesotheliomas, even though the experts acknowledged that chrysotile is less likely to cause mesotheliomas than amphiboles. We also note that the experts confirmed that the types of cancer concerned had a mortality rate of close to 100 percent. We therefore consider that we have sufficient evidence that there is in fact a serious carcinogenic risk associated with the inhalation of chrysotile fibres” (WTO, 2001).

Fact 9 The International Labor Organization resolved that: “(a) the elimination of the future use of asbestos and the identification and proper management of asbestos currently in place are the most effective means to protect workers from asbestos exposure and to prevent future asbestosrelated diseases and deaths; and (b) the Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162), should not be used to provide a justification for, or endorsement of, the continued use of asbestos” (IL0, 2006). 3

Fact 10 In October 2013, the International Commission of Occupational Health (ICOH) stated “There is sufficient evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of all forms of asbestos (chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, tremolite, actinolite and anthophylite)” (ICOH, 2013).

Fact 11 On June 4, 2012 the Joint Policy Committee of the Societies of Epidemiology (JPC-SE) after “[A] rigorous review of the epidemiologic evidence confirms that all types of asbestos fibre are causally implicated in the development of various diseases and premature death.” The JPC-SE “Calls for a global ban on the mining, use, and export of all forms of asbestos” and further the JPCSE describes how “Similar to the tobacco industry, the asbestos industry has funded and manipulated research to manufacture findings favourable to its own interests. It has set up front organisations claiming to be expert scientific institutes, such as the Canadian Chrysotile Institute, the Russian Chrysotile Institute, and the Brazilian Chrysotile Institute. But, they are, in reality, lobby groups promoting the continued use of asbestos.” (JPC-SE, 2014)

Fact 12 In 2014, a multi-disciplinary gathering of scientists meeting in Helsinki, Finland agreed that all types of asbestos cause cancer in man and “In order to prevent the epidemic of asbestos-related diseases from being repeated among workers and communities in the developing world, ceasing the use of new asbestos is essential” (Helsinki Declaration, 2014).

Fact 13 In 2015, the Collegium Ramazzini (CR) reaffirmed its long-standing position that “well-documented availability of safer, cost-effective alternative materials” exist for asbestos, including chrysotile. The CR supports both the 2006 World Health Organization (WHO) position to cease using all types of asbestos and the 2014 WHO publication Chrysotile Asbestos that “all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile, are causally associated with an increased risk of cancer of the lung, larynx and ovary, mesothelioma and asbestosis” and “are in line with the recent evaluation by the International Agency for 4 Research on Cancer (IARC).” (Collegium Ramazzini, 2015; WHO, 2006; WHO, 2014)

Fact 14 Labor federations including the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the Building and Woodworkers International (BWI), the IndustriAll Global Union (IndustriAll) representing millions of trade union members worldwide have issued calls for asbestos bans, just transition programs for displaced workers and measures to protect affected workers and communities (ITUC, 2006; BWI, 2014; IndustriAll, 2014). (The next facts refer specifically to risks from asbestos-containing roofing products.)

Fact 16 Acknowledging the human health hazard posed by asbestos and the environmental contamination following the destruction of asbestos-containing products after man-made or natural disasters, the World Bank Group, humanitarian organizations and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees have recommended that asbestos-containing materials including asbestos-cement building products should not be used in disaster relief (WBG, 2009; GSC, 2010; UNHCR, 2005).

Fact 17 Strong evidence exists for the occurrence of non-occupational asbestos-related diseases as a result of domestic or environmental exposure to asbestos; in particular, among family members living with asbestos workers (NIOSH, 1995; Ferrante et al., 2015; Stayner, 2015). 5

Fact 19 The World Trade Organization “considers that the evidence before it tends to show that handling chrysotile-cement products constitutes a risk to health rather than the opposite. (emphasis added)” (WTO, 2001).

Fact 20 The World Health Organizations warns "Continued use of asbestos cement in the construction industry is a particular concern, because the workforce is large, it is difficult to control exposure and in-place materials have the potential to deteriorate and pose a risk to those carrying out alterations, maintenance and demolition. In its various applications, asbestos can be replaced by some fibre materials and other products that pose less or no risk to health” (WHO, 2006). Summary of Facts: Throughout the last thirty years, scientific organizations and governmental agencies have thoroughly and meticulously reviewed extensive published data on asbestos and have concluded that all of its commercially viable fiber types (including amosite, anthophyllite, actinolite, chrysotile, crocidolite, and tremolite) cause disease and death resulting from asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma and cancers of the larynx and ovary. There has not been identified any safe level of exposure to any form of asbestos; i.e. no threshold value below which all individuals would be risk-free of contracting an asbestos-related disease. Therefore, we support the immediate prohibition of the use of any form of asbestos-containing products, including those containing chrysotile, and call for their complete elimination.

NOTE: Titles and affiliations are given for identification purposes only. DR. DARIO MIRABELLI, MD. Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, University of Turin (Italy) and CPO Piemonte DR. DOMYUNG PAEK, MD, MSc, ScD, Professor, Former Dean, School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Korea; Former President, Korean Society of Environmental Health DR. COLIN L SOSKOLNE, Professor emeritus, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada; Adjunct Professor [July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2016], Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Australia; Chair, International Joint Policy Committee of the Societies of Epidemiology (IJPCSE) DR. TUSHAR KANT JOSHI, FRCS, FFOM, Director, OEM Programme, Centre for Occupational & Environmental Health, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India; Former Occupational Health Consultant, WHO India; Fellow, Collegium Ramazzini; Visiting Professor, Occupational Health, Drexel University, USA PROF. MOHAMED F JEEBHAY, MBChB, MPH, PhD, Occupational Medicine Physician and Director of the School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa DR. KEN TAKAHASHI, MD, PhD, MPH, Professor of Environmental Epidemiology, Director of the WHO-CC for Occupational Health, IIES, Director of the International Center, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan WTO, 2001. European Communities-Measures Affecting Asbestos and AsbestosContaining Products. AB-2000-11. World Trade Organization. 12 March. https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/135abr_e.pdf SIGNED BY: DR. RICHARD A. LEMEN, PhD, MSPH, Assistant Surgeon General (ret.), Rear Admiral, USPHS (ret.); Adjunct Professor, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA 9 Royal Commission, 1984. Report of the Royal Commission on Matters of Health and Safety Arising from the Use of Asbestos in Ontario. Authors: Dupre JS, Mustard JF, Uffen RJ. , Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, Queen's Printer for Ontario , Toronto. Stayner LT, 2015. Para-occupational exposures to asbestos: lessons learned from Casale Monferrato, Italy. Occup Environ Med, Published Online First: doi:10.1136/oemed-2015103233 UNHCR, 2005. Procurement and use of material containing asbestos for UNHCR-funded projects. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Inter-Office Memorandum No. 025/2005. 29 March. USGS. 2013. Minerals Yearbook: Asbestos. United States Geological Survey [Advance Release], U.S. Department of the Interior. http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/asbestos/myb1-2013-asbes.pdf Van Zandwijk N, 2012. A Third Wave of Asbestos-related Diseases in Australia: Preventive Actions Urgently Needed. 5th Asian Asbestos Initiatives International Seminar, Busan, Republic of Korea. WBG, 2009. Good Practice Note: Asbestos: Occupational and Community Health Issues, May, World Bank Group. http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTPOPS/Resources/AsbestosGuidanceNoteFinal.pdf WHO, 2006. Elimination of Asbestos-related Diseases. World Health Organization. http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2006/WHO_SDE_OEH_06.03_eng.pdf?ua=1 WHO, 2011. National Programmes for Elimination of Asbestos-Related Diseases: Review and Assessment 07-08 June 2011, Bonn. Annex 4: Review of substitutes for asbestos construction products by a WHO-temporary advisor, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe: pp 22-29. http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/176261/National-Programmes-ForElimination-Of-Asbestos-related-Diseases-Review-And-Assessment.pdf WHO, 2014. Chrysotile Asbestos. World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/ipcs/assessment/public_health/chrysotile_asbestos_summary.pdf 8 IARC, 1977. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Man- Asbestos. Vol. 14. International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization, Lyon, France, pp. 106. IARC, 2012. International Agency for Research on Cancer. IARC Monographs Volume 100C: Arsenic, Metals, Fibres and Dusts; A Review of Human Carcinogens. http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol100C/mono100C.pdf IBAS, 2015. Current Asbestos Bans and Restrictions, Compiled by Laurie Kazan-Allen. International Ban Asbestos Secretariat, 2015. http://www.ibasecretariat.org/alpha_ban_list.php ICOH, 2013. ICOH Statement: Global Asbestos Ban and the Elimination of Asbestos-Related Diseases. International Commission on Occupational Health. http://www.icohweb.org/site_new/multimedia/news/pdf/ICOH%20Statement%20on%20globa l%20asbestos%20ban.pdf IndustriAll, 2014. Asbestos is a Killer. IndustriAll and BWI. 2014. http://www.industriallunion.org/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/Asbestos/a4_asbestos_8pp_en_web.pdf IPCS 2004-2012. Chrysotile. IPCS INCHEM, International Programme on Chemical Safety. Prepared in the context of cooperation between the International Programme on Chemical Safety and the European Commission. IPCS, 1998. Environmental Health Criteria 203 – Chrysotile Asbestos. International Programme on Chemical Safety, United Nations Environment Programme, the International Labour Organisation, and the World Health Organization, Geneva; WHO. http://www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc203.htm ITUC, 2006. Adopted by the Founding Congress of the ITUC [International Trade Union Confederation] Vienna, November 1–3, 2006). http://www.ituc-csi.org/IMG/pdf/Programme_of_the_ITUC.pdf JPC-SE, 2012. Position Statement on Asbestos from the Joint Policy Committee of the Societies of Epidemiology (JPC-SE), June 4. https://www.ijpc-se.org/documents/03.JPC-SE-Position_Statement_on_AsbestosJune_4_2012-Full_Statement_and_Appendix_A.pdf 7 th Espoo, Finland. http://www.ttl.fi/en/international/conferences/helsinki_asbestos_2014/Documents/20%20Marc h%202014%20Final%20Signed%20Declaration%20for%20website.pdf BWI, 2014. World Board Resolution on Asbestos. Building and Woodworkers International. May 14. http://www.bwint.org/default.asp?index=5538 Collegium Ramazzini, 2015. The Global Health Dimensions of Asbestos and AsbestosRelated Diseases. Castello di Bentivoglio, Via Saliceto, 3, 40010 Bentivoglio , Bologna, Italy. CSTEE, 2002. Risk to human health from chrysotile asbestos and organic substitutes. Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment (CSTEE). The Opinion of EU committee about the human risk of organic fibers (Cellulose, PVA, p-Aramid) as asbestos substitutes. Brussels, C2/GF/csteeop/Asbestos 17122002/D(02), 17 December. Ferrante D, Mirabelli D, Tunesi S, et al., 2015. Pleural mesothelioma and occupational and non-occupational asbestos exposure: a case-control study with quantitative risk assessment. Occup Environ Med, Published Online First: 11 Aug 2015 doi:10.1136/ oemed-2015-102803 Frank AL, Dodson RF, Williams MG, 1998. Carcinogenic implications of the lack of tremolite in UICC Reference Chrysotile. Am J Indust Med. 34: 314-317. GBD, 2015. Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 79 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risk in 188 countries, 1990-2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. Lancet. Published Online September 10, 2015. http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(15)00128-2/fulltext GSC, 2010. Asbestos in Emergencies: Safer Handling and Breaking the Cycle. Harrison TCP, Levy SL, Patrick G, Pigott GH, Smith LL, 1999. Comparative hazards of chrysotile asbestos and its substitutes: A European perspective. Envir Hlth Perspect; 107: 607611. Helsinki Declaration, 2014. The Helsinki Declaration on Management and Elimination of Asbestos-Related Diseases. Adopted by the International Conference on Monitoring and Surveillance of Asbestos-Related Diseases, 10-13 February 2014, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and International Commission on Occupational Heal6 References Summary of Facts: Throughout the last thirty years, scientific organizations and governmental agencies have thoroughly and meticulously reviewed extensive published data on asbestos and have concluded that all of its commercially viable fiber types (including amosite, anthophyllite, actinolite, chrysotile, crocidolite, and tremolite) cause disease and death resulting from asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma and cancers of the larynx and ovary. There has not been identified any safe level of exposure to any form of asbestos; i.e. no threshold value below which all individuals would be risk-free of contracting an asbestos-related disease. Therefore, we support the immediate prohibition of the use of any form of asbestos-containing products, including those containing chrysotile, and call for their complete elimination. Fact 20 The World Health Organizations warns "Continued use of asbestos cement in the construction industry is a particular concern, because the workforce is large, it is difficult to control exposure and in-place materials have the potential to deteriorate and pose a risk to those carrying out alterations, maintenance and demolition. In its various applications, asbestos can be replaced by some fibre materials and other products that pose less or no risk to health” (WHO, 2006). Fact 19 The World Trade Organization “considers that the evidence before it tends to show that handling chrysotile-cement products constitutes a risk to health rather than the opposite. (emphasis added)” (WTO, 2001). Fact 18 “For roofing in remote locations, lightweight concrete tiles can be fabricated using cement, sand and gravel; and optionally, locally available plant fibers such as jute, hemp, sisal, palm nut, coconut coir, kenaf, and wood pulp. Galvanized iron roofing and clay tiles are other alternative materials. Substitutes for asbestos-cement pipe include ductile iron pipe, high-density polyethylene pipe, and metal-wire-reinforced concrete pipes.” (CR, 2015; WBG, 2011; WHO, 2009) 5 Fact 17 Strong evidence exists for the occurrence of non-occupational asbestos-related diseases as a result of domestic or environmental exposure to asbestos; in particular, among family members living with asbestos workers (NIOSH, 1995; Ferrante et al., 2015; Stayner, 2015). Fact 16 Acknowledging the human health hazard posed by asbestos and the environmental contamination following the destruction of asbestos-containing products after man-made or natural disasters, the World Bank Group, humanitarian organizations and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees have recommended that asbestos-containing materials including asbestos-cement building products should not be used in disaster relief (WBG, 2009; GSC, 2010; UNHCR, 2005). Fact 15 The recent study by Ferrante et al, 2015 “provides strong evidence of an association between pleural mesothelioma and the use of asbestos-cement roofing (OR=2.5, 95% CI 1.4 to 4.5) and pavement containing asbestos tailings (OR=3.6, 95% CI 1.4 to 9.2) (Ferrante et al., 2015; Stayner, 2015). (The next facts refer specifically to risks from asbestos-containing roofing products.) Fact 14 Labor federations including the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the Building and Woodworkers International (BWI), the IndustriAll Global Union (IndustriAll) representing millions of trade union members worldwide have issued calls for asbestos bans, just transition programs for displaced workers and measures to protect affected workers and communities (ITUC, 2006; BWI, 2014; IndustriAll, 2014). Research on Cancer (IARC).” (Collegium Ramazzini, 2015; WHO, 2006; WHO, 2014) 4 Fact 13 In 2015, the Collegium Ramazzini (CR) reaffirmed its long-standing position that “well-documented availability of safer, cost-effective alternative materials” exist for asbestos, including chrysotile. The CR supports both the 2006 World Health Organization (WHO) position to cease using all types of asbestos and the 2014 WHO publication Chrysotile Asbestos that “all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile, are causally associated with an increased risk of cancer of the lung, larynx and ovary, mesothelioma and asbestosis” and “are in line with the recent evaluation by the International Agency for Fact 12 In 2014, a multi-disciplinary gathering of scientists meeting in Helsinki, Finland agreed that all types of asbestos cause cancer in man and “In order to prevent the epidemic of asbestos-related diseases from being repeated among workers and communities in the developing world, ceasing the use of new asbestos is essential” (Helsinki Declaration, 2014). Fact 11 On June 4, 2012 the Joint Policy Committee of the Societies of Epidemiology (JPC-SE) after “[A] rigorous review of the epidemiologic evidence confirms that all types of asbestos fibre are causally implicated in the development of various diseases and premature death.” The JPC-SE “Calls for a global ban on the mining, use, and export of all forms of asbestos” and further the JPCSE describes how “Similar to the tobacco industry, the asbestos industry has funded and manipulated research to manufacture findings favourable to its own interests. It has set up front organisations claiming to be expert scientific institutes, such as the Canadian Chrysotile Institute, the Russian Chrysotile Institute, and the Brazilian Chrysotile Institute. But, they are, in reality, lobby groups promoting the continued use of asbestos.” (JPC-SE, 2014) Fact 10 In October 2013, the International Commission of Occupational Health (ICOH) stated “There is sufficient evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of all forms of asbestos (chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, tremolite, actinolite and anthophylite)” (ICOH, 2013). 3 Fact 9 The International Labor Organization resolved that: “(a) the elimination of the future use of asbestos and the identification and proper management of asbestos currently in place are the most effective means to protect workers from asbestos exposure and to prevent future asbestosrelated diseases and deaths; and (b) the Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162), should not be used to provide a justification for, or endorsement of, the continued use of asbestos” (IL0, 2006). Fact 8 Safer substitutes do exist for replacing chrysotile, thus eliminating the need for use of any type of asbestos in commerce (IPCS, 1998; Harrison et al., 1999; CSTEE, 2002; WBG, 2009; WHO, 2011; Collegium Ramazzini, 2015). Fact 7 In 2001 the World Trade Organization reported: “The Panel found too that the efficacy of “controlled use” is particularly doubtful for the building industry and for DIY [do-it-yourself] enthusiasts, which are the most important users of cement-based products containing chrysotile asbestos.” The WTO stated “… we note that the carcinogenicity of chrysotile fibres has been acknowledged for some time by international bodies. This carcinogenicity was confirmed by the experts consulted by the Panel, with respect to both lung cancers and mesotheliomas, even though the experts acknowledged that chrysotile is less likely to cause mesotheliomas than amphiboles. We also note that the experts confirmed that the types of cancer concerned had a mortality rate of close to 100 percent. We therefore consider that we have sufficient evidence that there is in fact a serious carcinogenic risk associated with the inhalation of chrysotile fibres” (WTO, 2001). including those exposed to chrysotile (Royal Commission, 1984; IARC, 1977, 2012; IPCS, 1998; IPCS 2004-2012; Collegium Ramazzini, 2015). 2 Fact 6 No threshold level of asbestos exposure has been established below which all individuals would be risk free of contracting asbestos-related diseases – Fact 5 Currently, at least 55 countries have banned the use of all forms of asbestos (IBAS, 2015). Fact 4 Latest data show the global burden of asbestos-related cancers estimated to be 194,000 deaths per year in 2013, up from 94,000 in 1990 (an increase of over 100%) with a disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) burden of 3,402,000 – up 94% from 1990 and accounting for nearly two-thirds of the burden from all occupational carcinogens (GBD, 2015). Fact 3 Chrysotile has been shown to cause asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma and cancers of the larynx and ovary (IPCS, 1998; WTO, 2001; IARC, 2012; WHO, 2014; Collegium Ramazzini, 2015). Fact 2 Chrysotile is frequently found contaminated with amphibole forms of asbestos, most commonly tremolite (IARC, 2012). However, the UICC Canadian chrysotile, which has been shown capable of causing disease, has not been found to contain tremolite (Frank et al., 1998). Fact 1 For the past two decades, chrysotile has been the only commercially mined form of asbestos being mass marketed. It has constituted over 95% of all asbestos marketed over the past century. The latest data show global use of chrysotile is around 2 million metric tons per year (USGS, 2013). The following facts represent knowledge concerning chrysotile asbestos, the only form of asbestos currently marketed. CHRYSOTILE ASBESTOS FACTS